Heightened security for US Destroyer's four-day stay in Cobh

A HIGH-SECURITY exclusion zone will be in place in Cobh until Saturday to facilitate the visit of a US naval destroyer.

The USS Donald Cook docked at Cobh's deep water quay this morning, with port officials putting strict restrictions in place for the duration of her stay.

A 50-metre exclusion zone will be in place on the river, with access to the deep water quay prohibited for members of the general public for the duration of the courtesy visit.

Members of An Garda Síochána and the naval services will monitor the exclusion zone which follows a similar ring of steel cordon around the USS Porter late last year.

The Port of Cork's Harbour Master, Captain Paul O'Regan issued the notice to all mariners in Cork Harbour yesterday afternoon, confirming that restrictions will be lifted after the departure of the USS Donald Cook on Saturday.

The USS Donald Cook is a 'multi-mission destroyer' which is designed to defend against 'enemies on the ocean surface, over land, in the sky, under the waves, and even in space', according to the US Naval Force.

Named after a Vietnam War veteran who received the Medal of Honour for his bravery, the ship is equipped with some of the most advanced naval weapons systems in the world.

The ship, usually headquartered in Naples in Italy, operates in the North Atlantic region as a 'demonstration to the US Navy's continued commitment to and collective defence of the European region.'

It is capable of carrying more than 200 personnel.